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Haven't flown since 2000

I'm making a trip to the British Virgin Islands late Sunday night for 2 weeks. I live in Sioux Falls but will be departing from Des Moines headed to Atlanta..and then down to the islands.

Obviously things have drastically changed since the last time I have stepped foot in an airport but are there any things I should know leading up to the process of it? How much time should I allow myself? Are they pretty strict now on what you bring for your carry on? And yes...how about if I want to have a few drinks on the way down there? Does it just depend....?

Has anyone else been down in that area? The island is called St. John but we'll be landing on St. Thomas and will take a ferry over to the villa we're staying at. If anybody has ANY advice it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Haven't flown since 2000

any things I should know leading up to the process of it?

I cant remember specifically everything about how things were pre 9\11 when you last flew, but here's some general things that may or may not be of use:
-Check in online for faster processing at the airport
-Have your id and such ready, they'll usually check it at the main counter and with your boarding pass as you enter security
-in the security line, as you approach the metal detector most places you have to remove your shoes and put them in one of the bins
-if you have a laptop to carry on take it out of its bag and put it in a separate bin from your bag. Also recommend emptying your pockets pre-security line and just dumping them into whatever bag you have. It'll speed up the process of going through security and ensure you dont miss anything and set off the detectors. Also may want to remove belts, the sensitivity is sometimes set higher than it used to be.

Arrival time at the DSM airport.... 90 minutes prior to departure seems like a good amount (dsm airport says 90-120 min)

As for drinks, you should be able to do that with no issues. Get drinks at one of the airports bars or on the plane, a little pricey either way but such is air travel.

Re: Haven't flown since 2000

watch what others do in front of you and do what they do. I travel often and it really irritates me when I get stuck behind someone who doesn't know what to do. Last time I flew the guy in front of my had shoes & a coat on trying to go through the metal detector.

Re: Haven't flown since 2000

St John & St Thomas are actually part of US Virgin Islands not British. That may seem minor except you need a passport for BVI but don't for USVI. St John is less touristy and less developed than St Thomas which is why I like it better for just relaxing. Hopefully you do have your passport because BVI is extremely close by and you can make some nice day trips to see sites like The Baths.

Re: Haven't flown since 2000

Carry one liquids, including shampoo, toothpaste, etc., must be in 3.4 oz bottles or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger. Have the bag out. Take off your belt, shoes, and jacket and put them through the X-ray, as well as your laptop.

Oh, and don't bring a gun! And if you are a smart-***, jokes about bombs and guns are not tolerated. You'll be delayed and/or arrested.

Re: Haven't flown since 2000

Originally Posted by urb1

Don't leave anything in your pockets because of new x-ray scanners.

This......I flew about a month ago and had a nice roll of cash in my pocket that I didn't exactly want to flash around. Left it in my pocket because hey, it's freaking paper! It won't get caught by their back scanner! But it did, and they ******* me out for it.

Re: Haven't flown since 2000

Prepare for the Third World crowding of the entrance of the plane before boarding that seems to happen now. They try to board by section (or group number on your boarding pass), but even if you are invited to board first, you have to fight through the crowd that forms near the gate entrance. I've seen one airline that now has numbered stations for group numbers. Too bad the whole thing keeps moving toward processes that bear resemblance to slaughter houses.

Also, if you plan to take a big carryon, you better hope to board first because the overhead bins fill up fast.

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